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Workers Compensation Act 1951
42Entitlement to weekly compensation after 26 weeks of
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42 Entitlement to weekly compensation after 26 weeks of
partial incapacity
(1) If a worker is entitled to receive weekly compensation under this
section for a period, the worker is entitled to receive weekly
compensation equal to the difference between the weekly amount the
worker is being paid for working or could earn in reasonably available
suitable employment and—
(a) if 100% of the worker’s average pre-incapacity weekly earnings
is less than the statutory floor—100% of the worker’s average
pre-incapacity weekly earnings; or
(b) if the relevant percentage of the worker’s average pre-incapacity
weekly earnings is less than the statutory floor—the statutory
floor; or
(c) if the relevant percentage of the worker’s average pre-incapacity
weekly earnings is more than the statutory ceiling—the statutory
ceiling; or
(d) in any other case—the relevant percentage of the worker’s
average pre-incapacity weekly earnings.
(2) For this section, the relevant percentage is—
(a) if the worker is not working or works 25% of the worker’s
average pre-incapacity weekly hours or less—65%; or
(b) if the worker is working more than 25% of the worker’s average
pre-incapacity weekly hours but not more than 50%—75%; or
(c) if the worker is working more than 50% of the worker’s average
pre-incapacity weekly hours but not more than 75%—85%; or
(d) if the worker is working more than 75% of the worker’s average
pre-incapacity weekly hours but not more than 85%—95%; or
(e) if the worker is working more than 85% of the worker’s average
pre-incapacity weekly hours—100%.
1 Bronwyn injures herself at work in her full-time job. Bronwyn’s injury causes
her to become partially incapacitated and prevents her from fulfilling her
normal duties over normal work hours for 28 weeks. In those 28 weeks,
Bronwyn works, on average, 50% of her pre-incapacity weekly hours.
Bronwyn returns to normal duties for 4 weeks but suffers from a relapse,
becoming partially incapacitated again and staying that way for a further
7 weeks. Bronwyn’s employer is required to pay Bronwyn her wage for the
time she has worked during the 35 weeks of partial incapacity. Bronwyn is
also entitled to the following weekly compensation:
(a) weekly compensation equal to the amount she has lost in wages for the
first 26 weeks of reduced hours work;
(b) weekly compensation for the remaining 9 weeks of working on reduced
hours equal to the difference between the weekly amount Bronwyn is
being paid for working and the statutory ceiling (because Bronwyn is
earning more than 150% of AWE at the time the compensation is being
paid).
2 Nicholas works full time in a job that pays him an amount equivalent to the
statutory floor. Nicholas injures himself at work and is totally incapacitated
for 6 weeks and partially incapacitated for 26 weeks. Nicholas is advised he
could work on light duties for 3 weeks of the partial incapacity period.
However, suitable employment is not provided for this period. Nicholas’
condition improves to the point where he returns to work on a part-time basis
and works 20% of his average pre-incapacity hours for 10 weeks. Nicholas’
condition further improves to the point where he works on average 60% of his
pre-incapacity weekly hours for the last 13 weeks of partial incapacity.
Nicholas’ entitlements are as follows:
(a) the following amounts for wages (paid to Nicholas by his employer) for
the time he has worked during the 35 weeks of partial incapacity:
(i) for the first 3 weeks when Nicolas suffers from partial incapacity
but is capable of undertaking suitable work and is not provided
with it—nothing;
(ii) 20% of his normal pre-incapacity earnings for the next 10 weeks
of partial incapacity;
(iii) 60% of his normal pre-incapacity earnings for the last 13 weeks
of partial incapacity;
(b) the following amounts for weekly compensation:
(i) for the initial 6 weeks he is totally incapacitated—compensation
equal to his average pre-incapacity weekly earnings;
(ii) for the first 3 weeks of partial incapacity when he is capable of
undertaking suitable work but is not provided with it—100% of
his normal pre-incapacity earnings;
(iii) for the next 17 weeks of partial incapacity—the difference
between the average weekly amount that Nicholas is paid for
working and his pre-incapacity earnings;
(iv) for the remaining 6 weeks—the difference between the statutory
floor (because Nicholas is paid at the same rate as the statutory
floor) and the amount that Nicholas is paid for working.
(3) For this section, in working out the average weekly amount the
worker could earn, consideration may be given to the following:
(a) suitable employment that the worker unreasonably rejects;
(b) suitable employment that the worker obtains but unreasonably
discontinues.
statutory ceiling, in relation to an amount, means 150% of AWE at
the time the amount is to be paid.